Data Transparency in manufacturing means that all relevant production data is available completely, accurately, and in real time, always in the right context.
In practice:
Machine, line, and inspection data is captured automatically
Each data point is linked to order, product, material, time, workstation, and operator
Data is accessible via dashboards and reports without manual Excel work
Data Transparency is the non-negotiable foundation for Digital Shopfloor, Manufacturing Visibility, and reliable KPI monitoring. Without it, Industry 4.0 initiatives remain superficial.
Data-driven decisions fail without transparent data. Typical problems without Data Transparency:
Data silos across machines, spreadsheets, and ERP systems
No single source of truth
KPIs available only days or weeks later
With Data Transparency, manufacturers gain:
One data foundation, multiple views for operators, supervisors, production, quality, and management
Faster decisions based on real-time or daily KPIs
Full traceability from KPI to raw data and root cause
Only with Data Transparency does it make sense to discuss OEE, Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, cost per part, or delivery reliability.
KPI dashboards without transparent data are unreliable. In manufacturing, core KPIs include:
OEE with clearly separated availability, performance, and quality
First Pass Yield and scrap rate
Throughput and lead time
Downtime reasons and setup time
Data Transparency ensures that:
Raw signals, counters, and events are fully captured
Data is enriched with order, product, shift, and operator context
KPIs are calculated automatically using consistent definitions
This turns KPI monitoring into a control instrument instead of an Excel debate.
Machine and process data such as cycles, quantities, downtime, and parameters
Quality data from inspections, measurements, and defect classifications
Structured manual inputs like downtime reasons and shift information
Clear assignment to orders, materials, customers, lines, and shifts
Standardized master data for products, routings, and resources
Unique IDs for parts, lots, and serial numbers
One system consolidating and storing shopfloor data
Role-based access with consistent KPI logic
Versioned data for traceability and audits
Real-time shopfloor dashboards
Standard reports for quality, controlling, and management
Interfaces to ERP, QMS, and BI tools
A Cloud MES is the fastest way to achieve Data Transparency:
Connects machines, inspection systems, and manual inputs
Combines shopfloor data with order and material context from ERP
Calculates KPIs such as OEE, FPY, and scrap consistently
Provides dashboards via browser across multiple sites
Key advantages:
Consistent KPIs across plants
Lower IT overhead through SaaS
Fast rollouts to new lines and locations
With SYMESTIC as a Cloud MES, Data Transparency becomes standard, not a custom project.
Real-time visibility of status, OEE, quantities, and downtime down to order and part level
Built-in KPI monitoring for OEE, FPY, scrap, and throughput
Direct linkage to Manufacturing Visibility dashboards and Manufacturing Process Automation workflows
Data Transparency becomes the factual layer on which Digital Shopfloor initiatives, OEE programs, Lean projects, and paperless manufacturing are built.
A proven approach:
Define 2–3 target KPIs such as OEE, scrap rate, or FPY
Select one pilot line with high volume or high losses
Connect machines and add order and material context
Create a small set of role-relevant dashboards
Use the data consistently in daily and weekly meetings
At this point, Data Transparency stops being a buzzword and becomes a measurable competitive advantage.